Thread by @tdienlin

Jonathan Haidt wrote an important article on the effects of social media on democracy.

Although there are several things to like, I believe he got three major things wrong. 🧵

theatlantic.com/magazine/archi…

1⃣ Social media just aren't inherently bad.

Haidt labels social media as "terrible". However, as every Communication scholar knows, social media offer a plethora of uses and gratifications. There are plenty reason we spend so much time online.

In my reading of the literature, the four most important ones are:

1. Information Management
2. Relationship Management
3. Reputation Management
4. Mood Management

Yes, there's mis & disinformation. That's a problem. But social media are incredibly powerful in getting *relevant* info to their users.

Where did I hear about Haidt's article? Where do I get high quality summaries and comments about the article? Twitter.

2⃣ Research on the effects of social media use on democracies is not that clear.

Haidt: "Recent academic studies suggest that social media is indeed corrosive to trust in governments, news media, and people and institutions in general."

The @leopoldina, one of the world's oldest scientific associations, commissioned 19 professors to summarize the research on the effects of digitization on democracies (with a strong focus on platforms and social media).

leopoldina.org/en/policy-advi…

I was part of the group, and we had many fascinating discussions. Our conclusion?

To be honest, there really isn't any. Because the literature and effects are incredibly ambivalent, and it's almost impossible to answer the RQ objectively.

3⃣ Blaming today's problems primarily of social media is way too easy. Haidt overplays the role of social media.

▶️ What about the US lacking a proper public broadcasting infrastructure?
▶️ What about say Gingrich or Limbaugh changing tonality already in the 90ies without any social media?
▶️ What about decades long trends in individualization?

Don't get me wrong. I do agree with several of Haidt's thoughts. Let's indeed:

- Try to improve Social Media
- Amplify *moderate* content
- Fight disinformation
- Implement user verification
- Share data with researchers
- Address underlying social problems (#freeplay)

But we don't need to demonize social media to understand that it would make much sense to introduce changes and to improve our experience.

Summary: I think Haidt's article is important. I share many of the solutions he's presenting. Yes, we can and should make social media better.

But it's just not true that social media are "horrible".

Let's be less radical and more nuanced in our evaluations.